SunChips throws away compostable packaging

Around 2007, Sunchips and Frito Lays launched a commercial which stated that Sunchips are green because "they are made from the power of the sun.” Truthfully Frito-Lays only had a small amount of solar generation in their manufacturing facility make this statement somewhat false.

Recently Frito-Lays and Sunchips have launched a compostable/ biodegradable packaging that consumer had been asking for years. Unfortunately this new packaging design didn’t succeed.




Most consumers said they would buy Sunchips if the packaging was eco-friendly and compostable but without all the loud annoying sounds. In reality this isn’t going to happen. People need to make a decision on what is more important to them. The annoying sound they hear for a couple seconds when they stick their hand into a compostable, recyclable bag, or saving the Earth and the environment for ourselves and future generations to come.

Visit SunChips' website to find out more about their green initiative: SunChips Healthier Planet: Compostable Packaging Read more on this article...

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Nissan automobiles turn over a new LEAF, zero-emissions electric car

Leading, Environmentally friendly, Affordable, Family car or LEAF as Nissan calls it is a 5-door hatchback electric car with a range of 160 km on a single charge. Nissan Motors GB Ltd., the Japanese automaker's UK division, announced that dealerships are preparing for the LEAF's arrival. Since the Nissan LEAF is an all-electric car it does not pollute the local air and reduces the need for petroleum.

Nissan Leaf, the company's first production electric vehicle

Dealerships have begun investing in equipment as well as training for the sale and service of the new cars. By 2013 all dealerships should be prepared to sell the electric car. The investment includes installation of quick charge stations, and training of staff to service the vehicles.


The price of purchasing the Nissan LEAF was announced in Japan at ¥3.76 million, US$32,780 in the United States, GB£28,990 in the United Kingdom, and approximately €35,000 in the other three European countries where it will be launched first; these prices include the price of the battery package, and almost all countries have applicable tax incentives or subsidies. With the hope that the Nissan LEAF will become a commercial success, we may see more electric cars in the future. Read more on this article...

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Sprint's recycled phones save plastic and energy

Although they are not currently in high demand, Sprint anticipates that the desire for environmentally friendly cell phones will increase. The third largest cellular service provider is promoting recycling and buying renewable energy products. Sprint's collection rate for recycling and reuses of phones increased by 20% in two years, which is twice the industry average.

Sprint Project Connect
 Offers free recycling for cell phones, batteries, data cards and accessories for both none Sprint and Sprint customers.

Sprint Buyback
 Pays customers for devices and then recycles them.

Sprint’s head quarter is 90% wind powered and is using wind power to deliver 24 percent of energy use in its commercial buildings.The company was the only mobile provider ranked in the top 100 in 2009 for NewsWeek's “Green Ranking in Big Companies.” Sprint placed 15th on the list. This kind of thing is important to consumers; they want products from companies that make a positive difference in the world. People who care about the environment will go for Sprints new green phones.

Samsung Restore, shown in green

Samsung Reclaim, shown in blue and green

Sprint offers three environmentally- friendly cell phones. The Samsung Restore and LG Remarg are made from post consumer recycled plastic. The Samsung Reclaims casing is made from bioplastics sourced from corn. Their chargers meet the standards of the EPA’s Energy Star and they contain low levels of hazardous chemicals.
 
Let's encourage cellphone manufacturers to to continue this trend. Call you cellphone provider and ask them what they are doing for the environment. Read more on this article...

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Mushrooms can make packaging without toxic wastes

Eben Bayer has discovered an amazing way to use mycelium, a living component of many mushrooms, to manufacture some of the most common sources of waste. Whenever we make purchases of large items our items are often packaged in cardboard boxes and padded with Styrofoam. The Styrofoam comes from petroleum which is made from the same crude oil that also makes gasoline for our cars. Once our package is safely at our home or office we often throw away the padding which was made from one our most limited resources. What’s even worse is that this material stays in the environment for thousands of years because it is not easy to reintroduce it to the natural biosphere.




What if we didn’t need to throw away a material that is costly to produce and pollutes the earth? What if we had a natural product that could replace the Styrofoam packaging, and could be produced anywhere in the world using local materials?

Eben Bayer and his colleagues are working on the solution using mushrooms, yes a fungus. By using a naturally occurring organism called mycelium and local agricultural waste, his company is able to create an insulating, fire resistant, vibration dampening, and naturally grown product which can be composted at the end of its useful life. Already in use for manufacturers of furniture and televisions, Eben’s next goal  is to adapt his product for use as an insulation board for homes. Check out his speech at TED.
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